Kings News

MONTREAL – The Los Angeles Kings have selected center Brayden Schenn in the first round (fifth overall) of today's NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Kings have 12 more selections in rounds two through seven, which takes place tomorrow morning.

Schenn, 17, played the last two seasons for the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings. In 70 regular season games in 2008-09, he recorded 88 points (32-56=88) and 82 penalty minutes en route to being named a WHL Second-Team All-Star. His 88 points led Brandon and ranked seventh overall in the WHL. His 32 goals were tied for second on the team (tied for 23rd in the WHL) and his 56 assists were ninth in the WHL (second on the Wheat Kings). Schenn was also a plus-20 in the regular season (fifth on Brandon) with three short-handed goals (tied for second on the team). He was named WHL and CHL Player of the Week in January after recording seven points in two games (1-6=7). In January he was also awarded the H.L. (Krug) Crawford Memorial Medal for his athletic achievement in western Manitoba.

In 12 playoff games, Schenn recorded 18 points (8-10=18) and 12 penalty minutes as he helped the Wheat Kings reach the WHL's Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Calgary Hitmen. His 18 points was tied for first on Brandon (tied for ninth in the WHL), while his eight goals was third (tied for ninth in the WHL) and 10 assists ranked fourth on the team.

NHL Director of Central Scouting E.J. McGuire said, "Brayden is of the power-forward ilk. He has learned a little about the NHL from his older brother Luke Schenn and he knows how to go to the net. He is a threat to score at all times on the ice and dishes the puck very effectively to his linemates in getting the amount of assists that he does. He takes the puck to the net with the kind of authority that a Jonathan Cheechoo does, yet has puck dishing capacities that maybe a Joe Thornton does. Both are tough players, both are tough to move out in front of the net and Brayden fits that ilk perfectly."

In 2007-08, the 6-0, 198-pound native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan led Brandon with 71 points and 43 assists (28-43=71) in 66 regular season games en route to being named the WHL Rookie of the Year. His 71 points ranked first among all WHL rookies, while he was second among league freshman in goals and assists. He became the first 16-year-old since 1971 to lead Brandon in scoring.

Internationally, Schenn has won two gold medals representing Team Canada in 2008, first at the 2008 Under-18 World Championships and the second as an alternate captain at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Schenn won a bronze medal for Canada West at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He has been invited to Canada's 2009 World Junior selection camp, which takes place in December (along with current Kings prospect Martin Jones).

Brayden is the younger brother of defensemen Luke Schenn, who was the fifth overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Rounds two through seven of the draft are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, in Montreal, with the Kings holding 12 more selections (one in the second round, one in the third round, three in the fourth round, two in the fifth round, two in the sixth round and three in the seventh round).

NHL Network is the exclusive home for Saturday's live coverage beginning at 7 a.m. PT. Fans can watch also view NHL Network's coverage live on NHL.com.